Safety goggle having guarded vents



March 1959 w. T. WATKINS SAFETY GOGGLE HAVING GUARDED VENTS Filed Jan.25, 1957 Z7 4 W INVENTOR.

//////$ T Wai /h5 A FOR/V5 United States Patent Oflice 2,877,463.Patented Mar. 17, 1959 2,877,463 SAFETY GOGGLE HAVING GUARDED VENTSApplication January 25, 1957, Serial No. 636,264 11 Claims. (Cl. 214)This invention relates to improvements in goggles and more particularlyto that class of eye-protecting devices having at least one vent openingtherein for preventing clouding of the transparent shield forming a partthereof, the primary object being to provide a guard capable ofprotecting the eyes of the wearer by preventing entrance through thevent opening of foreign matter while at the same time not appreciablypreventing free flow of air into the goggle through the vent opening.

It is an important object of the instant invention to provide a guardfor a goggle assembly of the kind disclosed in copending applicationSerial No. 521,212, filed July 11, 1955, in the name of William C.Moeller, and owned by the assignee of the instant invention.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a guardthat is flexible in-- its entirety and, therefore, capable of beingwrapped around the frame of the goggle to conform to the configurationthereof and thereby properly engage the same in embracing relationshipto the vent opening or a row of vent openings such as disclosed in saidcopending application.

A further object of the instant invention is the provision of awrap-around guard that is quickly and easily mounted on the frame of thegoggle and removed therefrom by virtue of snap-action fastening meansforming an integral part of the guard.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of agoggle and guard for the vent opening of the goggle that will prevententrance of foreign matter, particularly liquids including acids, byvirtue of the fact that the guard includes an imperforate paneloverlying the row of vent openings, together with relatively offset,spaced-apart lugs at the longitudinal edges thereof channeling theincoming air along a circuitous path of travel whereby such foreignmatter entrained in the air is deflected by the lugs.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of a safety goggle having guarded ventsmade pursuant to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom view of the guard entirelyremoved from the goggle.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional View taken on lineIIIIlI of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, taken on line 1V-IV of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modifiedform of the present invention.

Goggle 19 shown in the drawings and chosen for illustration of theprinciples of Figs. 1-4 of the instant invention, is disclosed andclaimed in its entirety by the aforementioned copending application and,except in combination with guard 12, forms no part of the instantinvention.

It is sufiice to point out that the goggle It) includes a frame 14having an outermost edge 16 and an innermost edge 18, the latter ofwhich is of irregular contour to conform to the shape of the face of thewearer around the eyes, across the forehead, and across the bridge ofcross-sectional View the nose by virtue of the fact that it includes asan integral part thereof, a nose-engaging, inwardly-extending bridge 20.

The frame 14 supports a transparent shield 22 adjacent the edge 16thereof through the medium of a chan nel 24 that receives the peripheraledge of the shield '22. Fastening means 26 between frame 14 and shield22 (see Fig. 3) may be the same as that disclosed in Patent No.2,706,815, owned by the assignee of the instant in vention.

Frame 14 of goggle 10 as illustrated in the drawing and as more fullydisclosed in said copending application,'is of the so-called wrap-aroundtype by virtue of its flexible nature, made from a blank of initiallyflat material and having the ends thereof in abutting relation ship asat 28 adjacent bridge 20 and within the nose receiving notch of shield22. Further, as disclosed in said copending application, frame 14 isprovided with a row of elongated vent openings 30 between the edges 16and 18 thereof, covered by foraminous means 32 such as wire screenembedded within the material from which frame 14 is made and serving notonly to keep out foreign matter, but to reinforce the frame 14 so thatthe same will maintain the shape illustrated in Fig. 1, notwithstandingthe highly flexible nature of the material from which the frame 14 ismade.

The guard 12 is adapted for use in connection with the goggle 10 abovedescribed, whether or not the screen 32 is employed and while the lattereffectively deflects relatively large particles which are incapable ofpassing through the fine mesh screen 32, it is necessary and desirableto provide additional protection when the goggle 10 is used in morehazardous industries so far as injury to the eyes is concerned. I

Guard 12 is particularly adapted to keep out liquids including injuriousacids and alkalies, and to this end, the same includes an elongated,imperforate panel 34 that overlaps the vent openings 30; and inasmuch asthe guard 12 is preferably mounted on the outer face of frame 14, it is,therefore, in overlying relationship to the openings 30.

The guard 12 is transversely U-shaped, panel 34 forming the bightthereof, and its legs consisting of a pair of outermost, longitudinallyextending flanges 36 and 38 adjacent the longitudinal edges of the panel3 1. An additional pair of legs or longitudinal flanges 40 and 42adjacent flanges 36 and38 respectively,

stantially semi-circular, downturned flanges 46 integral with the lowerface 44 of panel 34. Manifestly, the dis tance between the flanges 40and 42 is as great as the width of the openings 30 to the end that whenthe guard 12 is mounted on the frame 14 in the manner shown by Figs. 1,3 and 4, the openings 30 are embraced by the flanges 40 and 42.

It is to be preferred that the guard 12 also be of the wrap-around typeso that the same conforms accurately with the contour of the frame 14and, to this end, the

advantageously molded or otherwise formed from any suitable modern-dayplastic substances readily available on the open market. The conformityof configuration is important so that the lowermost longitudinal edgesof the flanges 36, 38, 40 and 42 all bear directly and flatly againstthe outer face of the frame 14, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4.

Flanges or legs 36, 38, 40 and 42 are all made 'up of a plurality ofrectangular lugs 48, all in parallel relation ship and spaced-apart topresent passages 50 for flow of air to the vent openings 30,

, inner flanges 40 and 42, each .sage 50 of an adjacent flange,

flatly engage the outer face of frame 14 as aforementioned, but thelengths ofilugs 48 are greater than the lengths of the passages 50therebetween. Consequently, since the lugs 48 of the outer flanges 36and 38 are in 'staggered'or offset relationship to the lugs 48 of thelug overlapping the pasthe air must take a circuitous path in its flowto the openings 30. The distance between flanges 36 and 40 and betweenflanges 38 and 42, is appreciably less than the distance between flanges4i) .and 42 and also less than the lengths of the passages 50 wherebythe aforementioned deleterious foreign matter is effectively deflectedand not carried into the goggle 10 through the openings 30 with the flowof fresh air. The lugs 48 of the flanges 40 and 42 effectively act asbaffles to protect the eyes of the wearer of goggles 10.

It is to be preferred that the guard 12 be releasably attached to theframe 14 and, to this end, there is provided a plurality of snapfasteners in the nature of studs 52 integral with the face 44 of panel34 and depending therefrom. Each stud 52 passes through a hole 54 in theframe 14 and is held in place by a stud fastening head or enlargement 56on the terminal end of stud 52 .remote from face 44. By virtue of theresilient nature ,of the material from which frame 14 is made, andfurther, by virtue of the resilient material from which the guard 12 ismade, the heads 56 will readily snap into place when forced through theholes 54 and, conversely, may be snapped therefrom when it is desirablethat the ,guard 12 be removed. Since the openings 30 are in spaced-apartrelationship, there is provided means therebetween within the frame 14for receiving the holes 54. 'Fig. of the drawing illustrates anembodiment of a modified form of construction including the guard 112for goggle 110 each of which is like corresponding parts shown inFig. 1. A pair of integral ribs 152 and 154 extending outwardly from theexterior face 114 of the goggle 110 lie between two rows of flanges 136respectively. Screened opening 132 is disposed between ribs 152 and 154.The outer faces of the ribs 152 and 154 are spaced from the inner face144 of guard 112 to leave unobstructed a portion of the spaces betweenthe flanges 136 of the rows thereof.

This structure permits the ventilation afforded by the assembly of Figs.1 to 4 inclusive with the additional advantage of providing morepositive assurance that guard 112 will not move laterally out ofposition between elements 54 and 56 (Fig. l) as these elements performtheir function. The ribs 152 and 154 are coextensive with guard 112 andthereby prevent seepage of liquids such as acids into the screenedopening 132 while ventilation is unimpaired.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed new and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is: 1. In a goggle of the kind having aframe provided with an outermost edge and an innermost, face-engagingedge, and having an elongated vent opening between said edges, thecombination with said frame of a U-shaped guard secured to the outermostface of the frame and having an imperforate bight longitudinally alignedwith and overlapping the opening, said guard being provided with a pairof legs engaging said face of the frame and straddling said opening, atleast one of the legs having a passage for flow of air to the opening;and a baflie joined to the undersurface of said bight and interposedbetween the bight and the frame in overlapping relationship to saidpassage and spaced from said one leg between the latterand said openingfor channeling said air along a circuitous path of travel.

2. In a goggle of the kind having a frame provided with an outermostedge and an innermost, face-engaging edge, and having an elongated ventopening between said edges, the combination with said frame of a guardon the outermost face of the frame and having an imperforate panellongitudinally alignedwith and overlapping said opening, said guardbeing provided with a passage for flow of air to the opening and havinga baffle joined to the undersurface of said panel and interposed betweenthe panel and said frame in overlapping relationship to said passage forchanneling said air along a circuitous path of travel; and releasable,snap-fastener means securing the guard to the frame, and including anelongated stud integral with the guard, the frame having astud-receiving hole and the stud having a head for retaining the samewithin the hole.

3. In a goggle of the kind having aframe provided with an outermost edgeand an innermost, face-engaging edge, and having an elongated ventopening between said edges, the combination with said frame of anelongated, transversely U-shaped guard secured to the outermost face ofthe frame and having an imperforate bright longitudinally aligned withand overlying the opening, said guard being provided with a pair ofspaced, longitudinal legs extending laterally from the bight inengagement with said outermost face of the frame, at least one of thelegs having a plurality of passages for flow of air to the opening, saidbight having a third longitudinal leg engaging the frame between theopening and said one leg and provided with a plurality of air passages,the passages of the third leg being offset relative to the passages ofsaid one leg.

4. In a goggle of the kind having a frame provided with an outermostedge and an innermost, face-engaging edge, and having an elongated ventopening between said edges, the combination with said frame of a guardincluding an elongated panel longitudinally aligned with and overlyingthe opening and having an inner and an outer, longitudinal flangeintegral therewith adjacent each longitudinal edge thereof respectively,engaging the outermost face of the frame and holding the panel spacedfrom said face, said opening being disposed between proximal, inner,opposed flanges and each flange being provided with a plurality ofspaced air passages throughout the length thereof, the passages of eachof said innermost flanges being offset relative to the passages of theproximal outermost flange; and means attaching the guard to the frame.

5. In a goggle of the kind having a frame provided with an outermostedge and an innermost, face-engaging edge, and having an elongated ventopening between said edges, the combination with said frame of anelongated, molded, flexible guard wrapped over the outermost face ofsaid frame and including an imperforate panel in longitudinal alignmentwith and overlying said opening and having an inner and an outerlongitudinal flange integral therewith adjacent each longitudinal edgethereof respectively, said flanges engaging the outermost face of theframe and holding the panel spaced from said face, said opening beingdisposed between proximal, inner, opposed flanges and each flange beingprovided with a plurality of spaced air passages throughout the lengththereof, the passages of each of said innermost flanges being offsetrelative to the passages of the proximal outermost flange; and means onthe panel attaching the guard to the frame.

6. In a goggle of the kind having a frame provided with an outermostedge and an innermost, face-engaging edge, and having a row of spaced,elongated vent openings between said edges, the combination with saidframe of an elongated, molded, flexible guard wrapped over the outermostface thereof and including an imperforate panel overlying said openingsand having an inner and an outer longitudinal flange integral therewithadjacent each longitudinal edge thereof respectively, said flangesengaging the outermost face of the frame and holding the panel spacedfrom said face, said openings being disposed between proximal, inner,opposed flanges and each flange being provided with a plurality ofspaced air passages throughout the length thereof, the passages of eachof said innermost flanges being ofiset relative to the passages of theproximal outermost flange; and means on the panel attaching the guard tothe frame between said openmgs.

7. As an article of manufacture, a guard adapted to be positioned overthe vent opening of a goggle and comprising an elongated panel having aninnermost and an outermost row of spaced-apart lugs extending laterallyfrom one face thereof and located adjacent each longitudinal edgethereof respectively, the lugs of each outermost row being offsetrelative to the lugs of the proximal innermost row.

8. As an article of manufacture, a guard adapted to be positioned overthe vent opening of a goggle and comprising an elongated, imperforate,flexible panel having a innermost and an outermost, longitudinallyextending row of spaced-apart lugs extending laterally from one facethereof and located adjacent each longitudinal edge thereofrespectively, the lugs of each outermost row being offset relative tothe lugs of the proximal innermost row, the distance between eachoutermost row and the proximal innermost row being appreciably less thanthe distance between the innermost rows and said innermost rows beingadapted to straddle said opening.

9. As an article of manufacture, a guard adapted to be positioned overthe vent opening of a goggle and comprising an elongated panel having aninnermost and an outermost row of spaced-apart rectangular lugsextending laterally from one face thereof and located adjacent eachlongitudinal edge thereof respectively, the lugs of each outermost rowbeing offset relative to the lugs of the proximal innermost row, thewidths of all the lugs being the same, and the lengths of the lugs beinggreater than the distance between proximal lugs of each row.

10. As an article of manufacture, a guard adapted to be positioned overthe vent opening of a goggle comprising an elongated panel having aninnermost and an outermost row of spaced-apart lugs on one face thereofand located adjacent each longitudinal edge thereof respectively, thelugs of each outermost row being offset relative to the lugs of theproximal innermost row; and a plurality of spaced fastening studs onsaid face of the panel, each provided with a head on the outermost freeend thereof.

11. In a goggle of the kind having a frame provided with an outermostedge and an innermost, face-engaging edge, and having an elongated ventopening between said edges, the combination with said frame of a guardincluding an elongated panel overlying the opening and having an innerand an outer longitudinal flange adjacent each longitudinal edge thereofrespectively, engaging the outermost face of the frame and holding thepanel spaced from said face, said opening being disposed betweenproximal, inner, opposed flanges and each flange being provided with aplurality of spaced air passages throughout the length thereof, thepassages of each of said innermost flanges being offset relative to thepassages of the proximal outermost flange; means attaching the guard tothe frame; and a rib on the frame between each outermost flange and itscorresponding, proximal innermost flange, said ribs being spaced fromsaid panel, coextensive with the guard and formed to prevent flow offluid along the outer surface of the frame toward the vent openingtherein through the said air passages.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,351,358 Miner June 13, 1944 2,573,722 Maurer Nov. 6, 1951 FOREIGNPATENTS 10,690 Great Britain of 1899 365,848 France July 9, 1906

